The future workforce
Melbourne has a big population, so there are always a lot of jobs in every industry. Jobs in the health care and community services industry are in high demand. This is to meet the needs of a growing population.
There are many opportunities in construction, clean energy and manufacturing. This is due to major investments in infrastructure. The Big Build program(opens in a new window) can help you get an apprenticeship on big infrastructure projects in Victoria.
Being a world-famous tourist destination brings in thousands of international visitors. This means there is no shortage of retail, hospitality and tourism jobs.
In Melbourne’s CBD, you will find a training and skills pathway that aligns perfectly with what you want to do.
The projected number of new workers expected in central Melbourne is:
- 93,375 from 2024 to 2027
- 315,048 from 2024 to 2034*.
Top jobs with a VET pathway
Below are some top occupations in inner metropolitan Melbourne which can be entered through a Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
| Occupation | Workers 2024 | New workers expected by 2027 | New workers expected by 2034 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software and application programmers | 39,144 | 3,952 | 13,156 |
| Accountants | 24,509 | 3,002 | 9,208 |
| Registered nurses | 16,383 | 2,370 | 8,210 |
| Aged and disabled carers | 3,886 | 828 | 2,842 |
| Vocational education teachers | 2,093 | 294 | 1,090 |
Top industries
Below are the top 10 industries in inner metropolitan Melbourne in 2024. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.
‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.
| Industry | Workers 2024 | New workers expected by 2027 | New workers expected by 2034 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 184,088 | 22,967 | 73,721 |
| Health care and social assistance | 83,258 | 14,428 | 53,073 |
| Financial and insurance services | 102,653 | 10,399 | 35,976 |
| Public administration and safety | 59,365 | 6,699 | 23,840 |
| Construction | 39,049 | 9,696 | 19,966 |
| Education and training | 43,100 | 4,279 | 17,878 |
| Accommodation and food services | 42,039 | 3,663 | 15,230 |
| Retail trade | 42,509 | 3,717 | 14,979 |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | 28,084 | 3,432 | 11,551 |
| Administrative and support services | 28,018 | 2,490 | 9,933 |
Resources to plan your next steps
Visit our central Melbourne regional profile to learn more about:
- where you can do a training course
- local career success stories
- help finding a job and planning a career in your area
- future job growth and top industries in the region.
Explore growing industries across Victoria
Training and careers in growing industries
Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.
Training and careers in your region
Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.
* Sourced from Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard. Note that the qualification levels required for these occupations will vary.
Updated